NEWTON — Extra security will be in place at the Sussex County Courthouse this week for the sentencing of convicted killer Giuseppe Tedesco, who has not yet decided if he will personally address the court before his sentencing.

Tedesco, 28, who lost a bid last month before the state Supreme Court to be sentenced in absentia, is preparing a statement that will be read at his sentencing, but it has not been determined if it will be delivered by his attorney or Tedesco himself, said defense attorney Anthony Iacullo of Nutley.

It also has not been decided whether any members of Tedesco’s family will speak on his behalf and plead for leniency, said Iacullo.

"A decision has not been made yet on how to address the court. Joe or I will deliver a statement prepared by Joe," said Iacullo. "Our focus is really to just get through this and focus on the appeal."

Meanwhile, Sheriff Michael Strada said there will be extra sheriff’s officers on duty both inside and outside the Newton courthouse in preparation for the sentencing Wednesday morning before Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti.

"We have a security plan in place specifically for this sentencing," he said.

The plan, he said, includes having all courtroom spectators scanned by sheriff’s officers with hand-held metal detectors outside Conforti’s third-floor courtroom, a safety procedure also followed when a jury delivered its guilty verdict in December.

Courtroom visitors will also have to pass through the standard screening devices in the lobby on the first floor, said Strada.

"Basically, we’re double-checking everybody so there are no incidents between the two families," said Strada, adding there will be additional sheriff’s officers on alert outside the High Street courthouse and in the parking garage.

The added security measures are being implemented as a result of a courtroom melee that broke out when Tedesco was found guilty of killing 22-year-old Alyssa Ruggieri after a monthlong trial.

Tedesco, of Hopatcong, allegedly mouthed an expletive at every juror while they were polled on the verdict and threatened Ruggieri’s brother Devon.

A sheriff’s officer was injured in the subsequent pandemonium as the officer tried to subdue Tedesco as the convicted killer turned from the defense table toward Devon Ruggieri. Members of both families exchanged words as they left the courtroom and walked to the parking areas.

Tedesco later filed a motion to waive his right to appear at his sentencing, but the motion was rejected June 24 by the state Supreme Court on appeal by Ruggieri’s mother, Michele, and the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center.

Tedesco was convicted of killing Alyssa Ruggieri, a 2009 graduate of the College of New Jersey, in March 2010 by shooting her six times at close range in her Hopatcong home after she spurned his romantic advances.

Tedesco, who rejected a plea bargain agreement that called for 30 years in prison, now faces life plus 20 years.